Health Update

Okay, so onward and upward with health stuff...I am going to get some Frankenhauser injections this Friday. I have already had a bunch to heal my scars and these are a little more intense. I am hoping it helps keep my guts where they go and maybe even start to run again...I stopped last week because it just hurt too much. Bummer because I was up to about 2 miles and really enjoying a nice start to my day.

All of Me...

Did you ever watch that Steve Martin movie? I can relate...


If you have been around me lately, you know that I have struggled with my health, mainly my thyroid, for years and years. Baby number five put me on the bench for awhile and I have had a hard time getting back into the game. I have tried many diets that have worked in the past and cut out many foods from my diet. I upped my water intake to almost a gallon a day. Near double what it was. I don't eat late, have little meals, tried an over priced shake. I have been slowly working up to more and more exercise and can run about 2 miles at a pretty good pace. I even started going to bed earlier and earlier... I am still not healthy, struggling. I haven't written much because I honestly don't want to sound like I am complaining and I haven't had much hope, until lately. I thought I would share my progress, if anything, for myself. So here we go, starting from where I am at, on my journey back to me:

So, I stumbled on this info on the internet. I personally am not an internet searcher for much more than crafts, movies and addresses. I don't want to know what could be wrong with me because I am a touch of a hypochondriac and well, you understand...I am suffering from a few of the things listed in here so I am interested to talk to the doctor that sent it and see if there is a reasonable suggestion.  


Here is the info if you want to read on thyroid. It clicked for me and all that is going on but it may not for you....

The #1 cause of low thyroid or hypothyroid in the United States is something called Hashimoto's thyroiditis or autoimmune thyroid.  It's an autoimmune condition and it means that your immune system is attacking your thyroid.

An autoimmune condition is where your immune system is attacking a part of your body, and in your case, it is most likely attacking your thyroid gland.  Remember, your thyroid controls your body's metabolism.  ALL OF IT! Hashimoto's thyroiditis (aka. Autoimmune thyroid) is the #1 cause of low thyroid in the U.S. Your immune system is attacking your thyroid, and it is killing it. You just don't have a "thyroid" problem, you have an "immune" problem!  Unfortunately, thyroid hormones do nothing for this autoimmune attack.  You will continue to lose more and more of your thyroid taking the medications.  It is a slow, progressive, downward slide.

So the problem isn't just your thyroid: it is your immune system.  You have an immune system problem, and you need to heal your immune system.  Thyroid hormones are not going to help you heal your immune system.

There's two parts to your immune system, TH1 and TH2, and they should be in balance, kind of like a teeter-totter effect.  One should not be higher than the other.  If your immune system goes out of balance because of stress (physical, chemical or emotional), one system (TH1 or TH2) will become dominant and this will cause your immune system to attack your body.  There are specific blood tests that can be run to determine if you are autoimmune and if one part of your immune system is dominant.

Now the problem with autoimmune conditions is it just doesn't attack one area of your body...your thyroid.  It can attack other areas of your body.  It can attack your pancreas, causing diabetes, or it can attack your gut - your stomach lining - causing IBS, or it can attack your joints: rheumatoid arthritis.  It can attack your entire body.  You need to be tested to see if you have an autoimmune condition, and that's what's causing your thyroid condition.  That's what's causing your thyroid condition!



Every time I go to the specialist he tells me some new research and new advice. Last time I went he made me too anxious and pretty much told me that no matter what, kill yourself trying to loose your weight. I am finally to the point that I can see, there is something else they are missing. I also went to an oils class the other night and am more than excited to learn more about it. I feel like it is going to change the lives of my family. I am not usually into things like oils but I had too much of a feeling to deny, this is what I need. I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost. To know it is there and directing me and I am so thankful for my dear friend that introduced this to me without pressing. If she would have, I wouldn't have...I am now feeling "fringe" but I am ready to embrace it and move on to a healthier me. 

Up-do

Someone's big sister likes to do hair...Even if there are only three strands to pull on...

More Art...

this is a video I bumped up on...I am so wishing I was "arting" right now...I will find time this fall, and a table....Maybe have to set up in the laundry room....

A Face in Limited Colour - Mixed Media Art with Willowing

This is a video of some art work my teacher did. I just want to find it later so I am posting it here. I haven't done much with my lesson but I am loving what I have. I am thinking that I will do more this winter. I think that ANY of my girls would love a lesson or two for their birthday's/Christmas...that's for later though. I am in love with my online class and just looking forward to a little more time to do it....Maybe when Ava is in school in a year? Some day, some season...I am really okay with waiting for now...

I have pretty teeth.

Did you ever notice? I was playing in the mirror this morning - with the baby, not just myself, silly- and I glanced up to see my wonderful teeth. They are lovely.....I am thankful for them. Often I am so busy picking myself to death that I don't see anything to like. It struck me today that I am overlooking my blessings because I don't have EXACTLY what I want. How often do I do this in life? ALL the time with my body, and many other times with everything else. 

I have been seeing this in pieces but as I write, it is all coming together. How sad that I complain about so many things, making others feel my ingratitude. They probably wonder how I can complain when I have such lovely teeth to go through life with. I notice this with my kids. I pick, nag, direct, all in the name of mothering. But I don't feed them as much positive as I do negatives. I look at what I need to be fixing and don't focus on their wonderfulness enough. And if you think my teeth are great, you should see my kids. 

So here's to finding the wonderful. 

This is even funnier...

who has this much time? Ha ha...

This makes me chuckle...

#3 and #4

Awe, aren't they cute little summer babes. I love getting their hair up like this...Stays all day....These two do so well together, share a room and hang with each other the most. Love them!

If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." D&C 38:30

Okay, so hubby and I were talking about Obama care and all that jazz. Such a fun convo to have. And instead of worrying, we decided that we need to do what we always say. FOOD STORAGE! It has been on my mind lately. I don't follow through with things all the way, often though. So I got up this morning and started. I remember THIS blog that I happened upon. Bless their hearts, they hold your hand, send you emails and tell you what to do. I started years ago and got hung up on the first assignment. Not this time. I am determined to follow through and be prepared. Mostly so that I will have that comfortable feeling of doing all I could do, and being ready....

I am really excited. Here we go....

I am thinking of buying this fire and water box.
(the site suggests putting your binder in for safe keeping and then just grabbing the binder out if you have to get out and go.)

I also really like this site but it is almost a little too much for me. Too much detail and info but I am going to revisit it and see if I was just lazy...

Dave: I think you will get a kick out of this one. If I liked you more, I would make you one for Christmas, but I am just going to be lazy and buy you something.

Yard Sales...

Okay, I am getting behind but I have got some great deals the past few Saturdays. This last week I went to a flea market and got some inspiration instead. I am so excited to paint. I went and bought a quart of paint yesterday and am going to finish up the baby room some day soon....

So, the things I am excited about? Mostly my Elephant tray. I love it. It is sitting out on my desk so I can look at it just for fun. I got the water jug to hold bubbles but the kids are drinking more water this summer if I have this thing filled. I got some fun earrings for the girls and clothes.  A baby holder that doesn't hold the baby well so I will see if I can resell that at the used store here in town. Lots of fun stuff. Mostly great clothes, shoes, fun toys for preschool that I have been wishing for but not willing to pay for and a swim floaty suit. That was worth it all right there. I am not sure how much I spent so I will have to post sooner...